BY: JUNE CHEONG

Chlamydia

Transmission: Through unprotected sex and can spread from genitals to the eyes via fingers.

Symptoms: Most people have no symptoms or it may not show for years. There may be abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina, pain in the testicles and a burning sensation when urinating. Long-term irritation may cause lower abdominal pain, inflammation of the eyes and skin lesions. In women, there may be pain during sex and when urinating, bleeding after sex or between periods.

Treatment: Antibiotics. If left untreated in women, it can result in pelvic inflammatory disease which can lead to chronic pain and infertility.

Genital herpes

Transmission: By Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 through close skin contact such as unprotected and oral sex.

Symptoms: There may be small red bumps, blisters or open sores on the penis, vagina or surrounding areas which appear three to 10 days after contact. The patient may experience pain when urinating, fever, headache and muscle
aches. There may be an itching or burning sensation around the genitals. In women, there may be vaginal discharge.

Treatment: Antiviral medication can be given to treat the infection but the condition can recur.

Genital warts

Transmission: By the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) through close skin contact, usually during unprotected sex.

Symptoms: Genital warts first appear as small, hard painless bumps on the penis, in the vaginal area or around the anus. Sometimes there are no symptoms. If left untreated, they can develop a fleshy, cauliflower-like appearance. They also increase the risk of genital cancers like cervical cancer.

Treatment: No cure. Females between nine and 26 years old who have not been exposed to HPV can take a HPV vaccine to prevent getting genital warts.

Gonorrhoea

Transmission: Sexually transmitted bacterial infection. Symptoms: There may be pain or a burning sensation when urinating, as well as yellowish and sometimes bloody discharge from the penis or vagina. Symptoms usually appear three to five days after contact. However, many men have no symptoms.

Treatment: Antibiotics. If left untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease in women or infertility in both sexes.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV / Aids)

Transmission: Through sex or close contact with infected blood like transfusions.

Symptoms: Many have no symptoms for 10 years or more. Patients may experience prolonged fever, fatigue and night sweats, swollen glands, diarrhoea and mouth ulcers between one and six weeks after infection and each episode can last a few days to a few weeks.

Treatment: No cure. Treatment includes taking medicines to stop the virus from replicating.

This article was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times on Sep 18, 2008.